Canadian Property Rights Index

Property rights are fundamental to the prosperity of any economy. Without predictable and enforceable property rights, individuals and businesses cannot receive a return on economic activity. Property rights are also […]
Published on April 3, 2013

Property rights are fundamental to the prosperity of any economy. Without predictable and enforceable property rights, individuals and businesses cannot receive a return on economic activity. Property rights are also strongly correlated to GDP per capita and foreign direct investment inflow. For individuals, strong property rights provide a necessary bulwark against government intervention in one’s life.

The Frontier Centre for Public Policy has released its inaugural Canadian Property Rights Index to evaluate property rights protections across the 10 provinces and three territories. The Canadian Property Rights Index was inspired by the International Property Rights Index, produced by the Washington, D.C.-based Property Rights Alliance.

Property rights are evaluated along eight indicators: Registering/transferring property, expropriation, land use planning/constructive takings doctrine, civil forfeiture, municipal power of entry, heritage property, endangered species, and wills and successions.

The results reveal property rights are precarious throughout Canada. Granting sweeping discretion to provincial and territorial governments over property rights leaves Canadians unprotected. For example, on expropriation, most provinces and territories grant municipalities powers to expropriate for “most municipal purposes.” The results also reveal the public needs to become more vigilant about property rights and demand their governments stop over-regulation and commit to providing timely compensation where rights are infringed.

The pattern, with notable exceptions, reveals more robust property rights protections in the Western provinces as opposed to the eastern ones, with the exception of Nova Scotia. With the exception of Nunavut, there is also a north-south divide in property rights.

View as PDF (1 Page)

Featured News

MORE NEWS

Alberta Trailblazing On Property Rights Protections

Alberta Trailblazing On Property Rights Protections

Most pundits missed it, but Alberta’s revised Bill of Rights just strengthened property rights in a big way. Senior research fellow Joseph Quesnel breaks down how new amendments could protect landowners from regulatory takings—government actions that restrict property use without compensation. He examines key Supreme Court of Canada rulings and explains why every Canadian jurisdiction should take note. Could this be a game-changer for property rights? Read more.

Court Ruling On Indigenous Title Threatens Private Property Rights

Court Ruling On Indigenous Title Threatens Private Property Rights

Joseph Quesnel examines the growing conflict between Indigenous rights and private property ownership. Using the 2024 dispute between the Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation and the Town of South Bruce Peninsula as a case study, he warns that governments and Indigenous groups must collaborate before court cases escalate. Quesnel calls for universal rules on land ownership to prevent confusion and proposes constitutionalizing property rights to secure fair resolution. Click to read more on how this legal battle could reshape Canada’s property landscape.